Tragedy of Macbeth - Essay Example

Since time immemorial, the concept of tragedy has changed. In historical times, tragedies were associated with influential personalities in the society especially kings and rulers. The modern concept of tragedy has changed to include unfortunate incidences that are a threat to human lives despite their social, economic and political orientation. However, an embrace of the convectional concept is evident where more weight is given to famous and influential individuals across the world. Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a classical tragedy that depicts events and actions by humans of distinction in the society in specific places of high regard.

Examining the plot of the play, Shakespeare pays a specific attention to Macbeth. All the incidences that occur in the play are in one way or another linked to Macbeth. It starts with the three witches planning to meet General Macbeth, the man who has heroically conquered their enemies in a war. This presents him as strong, brave and a man with fighting prowess. It goes on to mention prophesies made by the witches that leads to Macbeth plotting to kill King Duncan, a deed he accomplishes with the help of his wife.

After the scare to King Duncan’s son, Malcolm, he flees away for his safety. This presents the perfect opportunity for Macbeth to rise to the kingship. To maintain his status and kingship in his lineage he attempts to kill Banquo and his son. He manages to kill Banquo but Fleance escapes imposing a threat to his kingship. The ultimate tragedy occurs when Macduff and Malcolm join forces to defeat him defeat him. The plot focuses on the death of these influential characters and not the ordinary citizens.

The presentation of the play uses a language that expresses the classical view of tragedy. Looking keenly at the play Shakespeare uses a language full of meaning, imagery and various sounds that expresses the convectional perception of unfortunate incidences. The use of such expressions as “Fair is foul, and foul is fair; Hover through the fog and filthy air” (Shakespeare 1,1,11-12) leaves the reader with several questions in mind in an effort to decipher the deeper meaning. It is difficult to figure out how the fair can be bad and the vice versa.

Use of such language is predominant in classical view of tragedies. These expressions enhance the meaning as well as facilitating the audience to figure out the sound of the play. In addition, Shakespeare has used certain words to convey a hidden meaning, a character that again is associated with classical tragedies. He mentions words such as, “born franchised” (Shakespeare 2,1,28) and “loyal” that carries a special meaning according to the historical view. The audience sympathize with the main character, Macbeth, after his ultimate death despite the several atrocities committed against other persons.

The play presents Macbeth has a man of influence and power. He has conquered as King Duncan’s general, has been prophesied to by supernatural beings, kills King Duncan, kills Macduff’s wife and his child, and also he kills Banquo. All these indicate how powerful the man was. Despite all personal achievements that cause his rise to kingship and attempt to sustain himself and his lineage in leadership, he finally falls. The presentation by the author elevates his tragic death beyond the rest.

This makes the title of the play take his name. Clearly, this kind of heroism presents a classical view of heroism and hence the tragedy that occurs to him can be regarded in the same view. Considering the setting of the play, it is easy to draw a conclusion that Shakespeare’s masterpiece that presents a classical view. The play is centred on the castle and the corridors of power. From the start of the presentation, we are presented with a situation where the witches are presented ready to convey some messages pertaining the leadership of Scotland to Banquo and Macbeth.

These people had conquered in a war, the witches present news that influences the setting